Frozen peas

What your doctor may not tell you is that frozen peas work better than ice. Before the biopsy, buy a big bag of frozen peas. Divide the peas into individual plastic sandwich bags and throw them back in the freezer. You'll find that a bag of frozen peas more easily takes on the shape of your biopsied body part than any bag of ice. Usually the icing routine is 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, but check with your doctor about that. You can refreeze your bags of peas over and over.– Knowing What Tests to Expect for Cancer Treatment (For Dummies)

What a relief. the anticipation was way worse than the actual experience. The most uncomfortable thing was the table. Laying on my stomach, having my breast hanging through a giant hole in the middle of the table that hit at an awkward location in my rib cage. No moving allowed. There were a series of pictures taken, a breast clamp, a local anesthesia administered and then a big-ass needle inserted to pull the sample tissue out from four locations. They finished both sides within an hour. The entire ordeal took about 2 hours which included the gown, the explanation, the waivers, the photos to make sure they got what they needed.

Here's what I know. they were nice and explained everything up front as well as during. One nurse had a hand on my back, another on my legs, very soothing. they kept letting me know how it was going. It was way easier than the dentist and certainly easier than childbirth.


Before anything began, the Radiologist sat me down and told me that she could see no reason for a biopsy at all. She looked at the photos and based on the formations, she said maybe there was a 1% chance of cancer and, if there was any cancer found, she would be shocked as would each of her colleagues. She agreed to give the biopsy so that I could sleep at night, and be sure.

So, did I over react? Should I have gotten two breast scars for nothing? Results should arrive by Friday, so we shall see.